which linux?

[Chaky]

ok so i have been trying to find an install of linux that I can recommend to friends to do the basics: internet, word processing, sound and cd burning in a secure fashion... i don't want to tell them hey get this version of linux and then 2 days later have them tell me their account is empty
so, apart from writing a secure linux kernel myself, is there an install that I can recommend to non serious computer users?
i looked at hardened gentoo, but i couldn't tell if the security page was serious or not

[DanielJay]

I would suggest using Ubuntu. You can get it over at: http://www.ubuntu.com/
They have a great user forum at: http://ubuntuforums.org/
Plus you can go to this site for tutorials: http://easylinux.info/wiki/Main_Page

I run Ubuntu on my desktop and my laptop(before it died).

[FedoraKarooz]

Originally Posted by Chaky

ok so i have been trying to find an install of linux that I can recommend to friends to do the basics: internet, word processing, sound and cd burning in a secure fashion... i don't want to tell them hey get this version of linux and then 2 days later have them tell me their account is empty
so, apart from writing a secure linux kernel myself, is there an install that I can recommend to non serious computer users?
i looked at hardened gentoo, but i couldn't tell if the security page was serious or not

Mandriva Linux 2008 — the worst/best release


Mandriva is well known for its simplicity, ease of use, responsiveness and stability. The 2008 edition was adverized as having all those features and more. A little delay with the release was explained by the need to “polish” the system and correct the bugs that appeared in the last moment. So consequently we all waited for the real revolutionary system, which would show what Linux really can do.

You can find all the guidance and tutorial from Internet and here is one url regarding its installation.
http://polishlinux.org/linux/mandriv...tbest-release/

[prijikn]

Ubuntu is one of the most popular distros and supposed to be very user friendly.i have reccomend another one SUSE, It is very good but i think its subscription based.

[Chris]

Any linux Operating System is more secure then Windows.

I recommend ubuntu, kbuntu, debian.

[lbsurg]

I agree with the Ubuntu recommendations. It's free and has a great online community that will help you with any problems that you have. Also, if you decide to use your computer for more as time goes on, it'll grow with you, allowing you to do more than you would have been able to on Windows. Linux is great, and free, open source software is even greater!

[John]

For web hosting I always use Cent OS. On the desktop I use Windows but have tested out Ubuntu and it seems fairly good at least with general web browsing. Overall, I do not have much experience with Ubuntu at this point - there's probably many other good uses of it besides web browsing.

[beyondtouring]

I had the same dilemma about a year ago, and went with Ubuntu. I haven't gone back since. It's stable, quick, efficient and easy. Best of all its free, and you can find a free version of any office application you need. Also, there are incredibly helpful forums within the ubuntu community which are perfect for the new user. Goodluck with your switch, and welcome to linux.

[Greg Taylor]

I used Suse Linux and its quite nice to use and easy to install. I haven't tried Ubuntu but maybe it is good too.

[PaulitoZ]

Having tried a load of different distros I would probably recommend either Fedora or Ubuntu though for a new user I would go with Ubuntu it seems flawless to me, really easy to use as a day to day OS.